I have a passion for helping others—and have worked in the helping professions for most of my adult life. My personal journey has been full of personal challenges, as I navigated living in various countries around the world, and learning to tolerate and celebrate cultural differences and contradictions. All of these experiences have led to my inner healing, to understanding and respecting the challenges so many of us face, and the need for both self-compassion and compassion for one another.
Approach
I have a gentle, nurturing, and collaborative approach in my work. I care deeply about the individuals and couples I work with and my goal is to help you improve your relationship – with your self and one another. I do this by helping you understand and become aware of the unconscious patterns in your life, that are keeping you stuck. I like to help clients gently uncover the layers of their past, when necessary, erasing shadows and shedding light, acceptance and understanding of self.
I support those of you who have anxiety or depression—using the approach that works best for you – such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, some elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, mindfulness, somatic therapy, and Internal Family Systems.
Focus
Couples: I use the Developmental Model of Couples Therapy created by the Couples Institute. In my couples’ work, I offer structure and clear follow through, providing progressive and forward moving tasks to build in the skills and capacities that will allow you to reach your goals as a couple. I aim to help you create real and deep connections, built on trust, safety, respect and love.
Conscious parenting: I love to help both couples and individuals parent their children. It is something I specialize in. I have a certificate in Conscious Parenting from Dr. Shefali’s Coaching Institute. I will help you understand the triggers that come up with your children. I also help you as a couple to navigate parenting together when your ideas and philosophies differ. Conscious parenting is a specific parenting philosophy and I provide specific tools and ways to implement this philosophy.
Internal Family Systems (IFS): IFS is a therapy approach that recognizes that our internal world is made up of many parts—with unique qualities. I use IFS to support clients working through childhood traumas, depression, and anxiety. This work has long lasting healing properties.
Somatic Therapy: Somatic therapy is a body-centered approach that helps release stress, tension and trauma from the body. This is something I integrate regularly into my sessions—taking those clients who can benefit from this approach, into their body to explore the emotions, sensations and images that arise.
Qualifications
• MA in Education (Teachers College, Columbia University)
• M.ED Curriculum and Instruction (Penn State University)
• Professional Counselling Diploma (Rhodes Wellness College)
• Registered Professional Counsellor Candidate RPC-C (#4331)
• Registered Therapeutic Counsellor RTC (#3069)
• Bader-Pearson Developmental Model of Couples Therapy (The Couples
Institute)
• Conscious Parenting Coach (Dr. Shefali’s Institute for Conscious Parenting Coaching)
• Life Coach and member of International Coaching Federation (IFC # 009594611I)
• Trauma informed Practice (Rhodes Wellness College)
• Internal Family Systems Certificate from IFSCA